J.J. McCarthy headed into the locker room with medical staff before the rest of his teammates right before the end of the first half of Sunday's Week 16 game against the New York Giants, and the sight of it immediately sent a burst of concern throughout the entire Minnesota Vikings fan base.
McCarthy was eventually ruled out for the second half with an injury to his throwing hand, and that news didn't do anything to ease the stress of Vikings fans. However, Minnesota head coach Kevin O'Connell did reveal after the matchup that initial tests on the quarterback's hand came back negative, indicating that he avoided a serious injury.
The Minnesota Star Tribune's Ben Goessling also shared that McCarthy was seen in the locker room after the game wearing a fingerless glove on his injured hand, but not a cast, or anything else that would potentially be used to treat a severe injury.
Status of Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy still unknown for team's final two games of 2025 season
While the tests coming back negative is a good sign, it doesn't necessarily mean that McCarthy will be good to play in the Vikings' next game, especially since the injury is to his throwing hand.
Minnesota also doesn't have much time until its next matchup, as they will be facing off against the Detroit Lions on Thursday in a Week 17 Christmas Day divisional showdown.
So there are a lot of factors that the Vikings have to consider in the next few days before making a decision about letting McCarthy play against the Lions.
He's likely going to want to play, regardless of how painful his injury is. But Minnesota is already unable to earn a spot in this season's playoffs, so would having McCarthy risk further injury in their final two games really be worth it?